Improvement in abdominal corsets



"GL LASCELL. ABDOMINALCORSET.

Paten t-e'd Jan. 16-, 1877.

filmssisa monum- 1 N. PETERS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. 0 C.

U I ED STATES PATENT Orrron CHRISTINA 'LASGELL, or NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

:IMPROVEM-ENT IN ABDOMINAL CORSETS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 186,258 dated J annary 16, 1877; application filed May 22, 1876.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHRISTINA LAsoE'LL, of Newark, Essex county, "New Jersey, have invented a new and Improved Abdominal Gorset, of which the following is a specification:

Figure 1 represents a perspectiveview of my improved abdominal corset; Fig; 2,a detail rear view of the same, showing the spinal of the abdomen in a perfectly comfortable and easy manner, and throws the strain on the. shoulders and hips of the wearer.

The corset is adjustable to the varying conditions of the abdomen, does not interfere with the .motion and different positions of the body, and is readily put on and taken off.

The invention consists of a corset having adjustable elastic shoulder-straps, and opening at the sides by lacings and elastic bands and buttons. The front part of the corset is stiffened by a stay that slides in a pocket to provide for stooping. A central front slot and lacing admit the front part of the corset to. expand. The lower extension part of the corset has short stiffening-stays, and is connected independently of the upper stays by short side lacings and elastic straps to the side or hip parts of the corset. A hernial band extends from the lowermost part of the corset-extension between the legs to the rear, and is attached by adjustable hip-straps to the sides of the corset.

In the drawing, A represents a corset that is for the sake of greater convenience in putting off and on, opened and closed at the sides, the upper part being closed by lacing-strings a, the lower part by a band, b, attached by an elastic gore or straps to the sides of the corset, and buttoned to the front part of the same. The corset is provided with shoulderstraps B, to take up and transmit part of the strain exerted by the weight of the abdomen to the shoulders. The shoulder-strap B is made of a sleeve, d, with an interior-elastic band,d, to which a buckle, e, at the ends of elastic strapse is attached at greater or less length, as required, the sleeve end of the shoulder-strap passing over the buckleand preventing the rusting of the same, and the chafing or hurting of the shoulders. The lower ends of the elastic strap 0 are applied by metallic hooks f to eyelets of the corset, to

be readily attached and detached in puttingfreely in a pocket, g, at the under side of the corset, to admit the stooping and sitting'positions without interference by the stay. A slot, D, is arranged centrally above the stay 0, and closed by elastic lacing-strings, which give sufficiently to admit the motion of the abdomen in breathing, walking, &c., without strain or discomfort. The front part of the corset is extended downward over the lower extremity of the abdomen, and stiffened by short whalebone-stays E. Short side slots h, with elastic lacing-strings h, connect the extension at the sides to the upper part of the corset and impart an independent adjustment of the extension without crowding up to the stays of the corset. The extension forms a support for the lower part ofthe abdomen, and takes up the weight of the same withoutcramp ing, pressing, or hindering the same in the least. It transmits the strain exerted by the Weight of the abdomen by the side gores and by additional elastic side straps t that are hooked into eyes near the short lace'slots h to the side parts of the corset, and thereby to the hips, which, in conjunction withthe'shoulders, are best adapted to assist the abdominal muscles in the support of the abdomen. The lowermost part of the extension is firmly connected by a hernial band, F, that is buttoned to the extension and passed between the legs to the rear, branching out and extending by elastic straps to hipbnckles l at the sides of the corset A. The h'ernial band l serves to retain the lower part of the corset close to the abdomen in the different positions of the body, the rear straps giving sufficiently for the pur pose. The hernial band is fitted to the lower extremities to prevent chafing between the legs.

The ready adjnstability of the corset in its different parts renders the same available for the varying condition of the abdomen during pregnancy, supports the same in easy and comfortable manner, and admits the free and unrestrained motion of the body.

Having th us described my invention, I. claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patcut-- 1. The combination of the sleeve-shaped shoulder-straps B, having interior band with buckles, and elastic straps attached to the front of the corset, substantially as specified. 2. An abdominal corset opening at the side by lacings at the upper part, and a buttoningband with elastic gore or straps at the lower part, substantially as specified.

3. The combination of the front stay with a Tanged above the stomach part, substantially as specified.

5. The combination of the lower extension of the corset, having laced side slots by elastic side straps with the hip parts of the corset, substantially for the purpose specified.

6. The combination of the lower extension of the corset with a hernial band attached by elastic back straps to hip-buckles of the corset, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

CHRISTINA LASOELL.

Witnesses PAUL GoEPEL, CHRISTINE OHL. 

